New to forum and forums in general. Usually can find the info I'm looking for by searching previous posts but am asking for some specific information from someone who's "been there".
Bought an '81 Rabbit awhile back with a CR engine. The head needed to be replaced, which is done, and wanted to replace the water pump not knowing the last time this was done. The car originally was set up with AC which has been gutted out. Tried to remove the AC bracket to get to the water pump without removing the IP and that wasn't happening for me. Removed the IP, removed 3 of the 4 bolts with the last upper right bolt head snapping off. AC bracket is now removed. I can rotate the water pump +/- 5 degrees about the broken bolt which projects about an inch above the water pump housing but cannot get the water pump to come up away from the engine block.
Should I continue to try to remove the water pump (wiggle, pry) before dealing with the broken bolt ? or deal wit the bolt firat ?
As far as the broken bolt, heat ? stud extractor ? Been hitting it with PB blaster and tapping on it for a day and it it still is pretty solid.
Well, the bolt is already broken, what's the worst that could happen if you yanked the WP off? It might break closer to the block, but I'm willing to bet that you wouldn't be able to get the bolt off with vice grips anyways.
Just be careful if you pry it off. Try NOT to pry between the head area (where your broken bolt is). Pry near the bottom against the outside of the case. If you pry near the top, you run the risk of damaging the milled surface on the block where the water pumps seals to.
Extractors work well, but I'd spray it with some Aerokroil (availabe online or from some hardware stores). It's killer stuff, and better than PB blaster. Let it soak for a day or two, drill out the bolt at the block, and then use an extractor. Be sure to drill the bolt all the way thru: this will relieve the tension on the side of the bolt, and make it easier to remove. I usually start with a relatively thin drill bit, and then work up to the size of the extractor.
Or, Heat it up. I'm not too handy with the torch, so I shy away. But if you break the bolt off at the block, I'm not sure how much good the heat will do.
Good Luck.
I'll give the Aerokroil a try first. The broken bolt is moving with the WP as I wiggle it back and forth. Must be frozen to the clearance hole in the WP Hsg. A little patience may be rewarded by not having to take more drastic measures. Thanks for the recommendation.